"Evening"

I often paint nocturnal or evening type pieces. I also often kayak in the evening and well into the dark, starting out at sunset and coming in by moonlight or headlamp. The hard edges of day turn soft by night and realities kept hidden in the shadows. I like the unbusyness of night where my mind is free to wander and I can think clearly about my next piece.

"Northern Solitudes"

Work has been completed for my my show "Northern Solitudes" coming up this Friday June 8th. I have greatly enjoyed painting this body of work inspired by several trips to the BWCAW and other adventures in the North Country.

In the Studio

Took these shots in my studio...deep into work these days and loving it.

More North

I thoroughly enjoyed having my painting workshop at the Lutsen Resort. What a beautiful, calm and relaxing, not to mention extremely scenic place to paint and be inspired! And it was so great to continue the creative dialogue and energy after class as we shared hikes, photography, dinners, campfires and conversation. I'm looking forward to introducing more people to these workshops as they develop.

After the workshop I made my way across beautiful Highway 1 over to Ely to hike and photograph for even more northern inspiration for my upcoming June show. Paintings are well under way, they are stacking up in the studio and I am loving working on this series of the BWCAW. I am going to wait until closer to the show though to post these paintings anywhere.

As you can see...I also enjoyed playing with my new camera this week. It is not a new medium for me, but a revisited one. While I have no intention of going into photography...it is a nice diversion, as I was not trying to photograph for a professional purpose.

Connections

I am delighted to have connected with the group called "Friends of the BWCAW" We will be collaborating on a show this June. I do many trips in the BWCAW (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wildernerness) and deeply appreciate the rich "wilderness" experience. Much of the inspiration and ideas for my work come from this very distinct area in Northern Minnesota. A man that I never had the opportunity to meet but have always greatly admired is Sigurd Olson. A voice for the wilderness, he fought hard along with other visionaries and organizations to define and maintain the BWCAW as a wilderness area, believing that these areas rich in intangible values are completely necessary for humankind. Friends of the BWCAW is an organization developed in order to protect, preserve and restore the true wilderness character of the BWCAW and the Quetico-Superior Ecosystem.

Attempts

I have attempted two paintings recently and have destroyed both of them. It happens. I've come to recognize and accept these unsuccessful attempts as growth, allowing my disappointment to at least have a reason and clearing my head for yet another push forward and another new attempt.

My joy at Christmas

My favorite part of the holiday season is hand painting the wrapping. I light my candles, turn on the sprig of christmas lights, pretend I am stuck in a cabin in the northwoods and I play. It's really fun if the snow is blowing outside! Which it hasn't actually done very much this year. This tradition I have created started because I didn't want to spend the money on wrapping and then it became so well liked by everyone, now they collect them. It is so satisfying to create these little pieces and customize them. I feel like a little kid coloring and I love it. The fact that they are so well received is just a bonus.

I don't always make my own gifts, but this year I did. Out of a large piece of leather I made little bags decorated with my old jewelry, customizing each piece to suit it's intended. I wasn't sure how these would go over, but I am a believer in giving something of yourself, something that you'd like to give...not what others want or expect. They were treasured by most...and it all made for a very good holiday season.

Now bring on the snow!!!

"Backroads"

"Backroads" was inspired by a rainy and foggy Monday. In this post I am attempting to show my progression of a piece. I started this piece at about 1:00 and finished it by about 6:00. Usually when a painting happens this quickly, I really like the piece, and it holds true for this one. They don't all happen this fast.

"Darksome" a noun, a dark color or shade, esp. in a painting.

This piece was inspired my trip to the BWCA this fall. When canoeing, I get a thrill out of a crossing in waves and big water, but I really love hugging the shore and getting glimpses into the deep woods and wondering. The darkish mystery of the woods reflected in waters underneath my boat intensify my curiosity. Wonder is an emotion that precipitates much of my work.

This piece was well received at the the Art on Main show at Alesci Gallery this past Friday and in fact sold almost immediately. The new owners agreed to let me keep it through the exhibit which I really appreciated.

"Without A Map"

I recently read a book by the award winning author Meredith Hall titled "Without A Map". I was captivated immediately and was unable to put the book down. I must first admit to literally picking this book by the cover. I read the title which attracted me "Without A Map"....I'm sure we've all felt like this at times. As an artist, probably even more so. So I decided to pull it off the library shelf and as I put the book in my hands, the cover revealed a gray moody scene of a road leading into a mysterious and foggy place, reminding me much of my work. I was drawn in and knew I must read this book.

"Without A Map" will piss you off, make you laugh and make you cry. It gets right to the heart of what it is to be a woman, our weaknesses and above all, our strengths.

At the back of the book and after the story has ended, Hall talks about a place very dear to her. As she describes the stark and haunting landscape and it's people, I got goose bumps as I realized she can only be talking about one place, a place I know too. Newfoundland.

I felt compelled to write to her. She said she didn't often have the time to respond to her e-mails, but my Newfoundland in the subject made her pay attention. She decided to peruse my website. This is what she wrote back to me:

“Wow. Wow. I spend a lot of time roaming around galleries and museums and sometimes—rarely—I have a powerful emotional response. I am stunned by your work. I love how subdued the light is, how fully you feel the harsh, wild, demanding beauty of Newfoundland. Maybe someday I will find a way to have one of your paintings on my wall. It would be an honor.
”Meredith Hall, Author, Without a Map

I am the one honored...this woman has lead a fascinating life.

Meredith's website:
http://meredithhall.org/